David Reid | University of Agder (original) (raw)
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Papers by David Reid
The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 2001
This paper addresses the question of what criteria influenced the acceptance of two "explanations... more This paper addresses the question of what criteria influenced the acceptance of two "explanations" by grade 5 students. The students accepted the use of deductive reasoning as explanatory, as well as using reasoning by analogy in their own explanations. The "explanations" can be interpreted as proofs by mathematical induction. The main weakness of mathematical induction as a form of explanation was the arbitrariness of the initial step. The induction step did not seem to trouble these students. Other elements in their acceptance of explanations were concreteness, familiarity, and opportunities for multiple interpretations.
Research in Mathematics Education, 2011
The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 2001
This paper addresses the question of what criteria influenced the acceptance of two "explanations... more This paper addresses the question of what criteria influenced the acceptance of two "explanations" by grade 5 students. The students accepted the use of deductive reasoning as explanatory, as well as using reasoning by analogy in their own explanations. The "explanations" can be interpreted as proofs by mathematical induction. The main weakness of mathematical induction as a form of explanation was the arbitrariness of the initial step. The induction step did not seem to trouble these students. Other elements in their acceptance of explanations were concreteness, familiarity, and opportunities for multiple interpretations.
Research in Mathematics Education, 2011